SOUTH BEND – Brian Kelly said Notre Dame continues to search for an identity. The coach meant offense but could have been referring to the collective: offense, defense, special teams.

While it strains credulity to believe the No. 8 Fighting Irish can make college football’s final four, Kelly unintentionally described their identity. The 22-17 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday is representative of what Notre Dame is, and perhaps all it is.

“I mean, we’re not going to beat you 52-3,” Kelly said. “We're going to grind it out. We're going to play tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar football, and we're going to need our special teams to be really good.”

Notre Dame need not worry about the College Football Playoff. Each week, it seems, is a playoff.

The outcome extended Notre Dame’s home winning streak to eight, longest since 10 in a row from 2011-13. Against Vanderbilt, a 14-point underdog, the Irish were special when they absolutely needed to be. The Irish (3-0) have led by 18, 18 and 16 points, and won each by one score or less.

>> Justin Yoon had three first-half field goals and became the highest-scoring kicker in Notre Dame history. He has 297 points, second only to the 320 by running back Autry Denson (1982-85). Yoon’s fourth-quarter miss from 32 yards left the Irish with just a five-point lead, and Kelly conceded the team might have not given Yoon adequate time.

>> Tyler Newsome had punts of 63, 62, 53, 57 and 63 yards. That set a school record with a 59.6 average on a minimum of five punts.

The defense was no less special, at least on a couple of plays:

>> Safety Jalen Elliott stuck close enough to Vanderbilt receiver Kalija Lipscomb to dislodge the ball near the Notre Dame 10-yard line on fourth-and-4. That was essentially it for the Commodores, who didn’t get the ball back until they were 90 yards from the goal line with five seconds left.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Nic Weishar (82) reaches for the first down as he is tackled by Vanderbilt Commodores cornerback Joejuan Williams (8) in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush, right, is congratulated by wide receiver Michael Young after scoring a touchdown against Vanderbilt during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nam Y. Huh, AP

Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush, left, drops off the ball to running back Tony Jones Jr., during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nam Y. Huh, AP

Notre Dame kicker Justin Yoon watches after scoring a field goal during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Vanderbilt, in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nam Y. Huh, AP

Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) is sacked by Notre Dame defensive line Jerry Tilery during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nam Y. Huh, AP

Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) is sacked by Notre Dame defensive line Jerry Tilery during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Nam Y. Huh, AP

>> The strip by safety Alohi Gilman might have been a game-saver. Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur completed a 21-yard pass to Donaven Tennyson carrying to the 1 in the second quarter. Tennyson was wrapped up by Troy Pride Jr., and Gilman did his damage. The ball bounded into the end zone, and cornerback Julian Love finally landed on it for a touchback.

“I was just trying to stop him from scoring,” Gilman said. “At that point, it’s like playing park ball.”

Vanderbilt advanced as far as the Notre Dame 23 to start the second half but ended up with a missed field goal from 43 yards. On Vandy’s next possession, Shurmur lofted an ill-advised throw into coverage that was intercepted by Pride in the end zone.

Gilman said the Irish struggled to adjust after Shurmur found his rhythm. The Vandy quarterback hit 26-of-43 passes for 315 yards (283 after the first quarter).

Notre Dame’s offense was under pressure, and, unlike the previous two weeks, delivered.

No better evidence was Brandon Wimbush’s quarterback sneak on fourth-and-1 to give Notre Dame a first down on the Vanderbilt 2. Ian Book’s 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Nic Weishar gave the Irish their first fourth-quarter points of the season and a 22-10 lead. (Book’s pass for two points failed.)

The Irish were seemingly unruffled on plays in which Wimbush was replaced by Book. Wimbush directed another fourth-quarter drive that should have yielded points but ended up as Yoon’s missed kick.

“We started fast, and I think we finished strong,” Wimbush said. “So that's been an emphasis this week, and I think we did that.”

By halftime, the Irish had rushed for 163 yards, exceeding their 124.5 average from the first two games. They finished with 245 rushing, featuring Tony Jones Jr.’s career-high 118 in 17 attempts. Wimbush netted 84 in 19 attempts and scored on a 17-yard run.

The Irish’s lone first-half touchdown came on a 94-yard drive consuming 15 plays and 5:25 of clock.

A defense that repeatedly bent finally put the anchor down on the Commodores. Given how the Irish have played in three games, if there is a unit to preserve victory, it is that defense. That is Notre Dame’s identity, irrespective of opponent.

“We talk about it each and every week, faceless opponents,” linebacker Drue Tranquill said. “And that’s the team that’s trying to keep us from our goal of a national championship. Able to get another one this week.”

If the Irish return from Wake Forest next week with their first road victory, they will have a chance in the following two games — against No. 9 Stanford and at No. 11 Virginia Tech — to prove they are more able than this.

Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com or call 317-444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.

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IndyStar's David Woods breaks down the Fighting Irish's close call against Vanderbilt.
David Woods, david.woods@indystar.com